Office Updates
Applications Open for Tribal Clean Energy Innovator Fellows
Increasing Access to Tribal Clean Energy Career Opportunities
 Recent and soon-to-be graduates, as well as energy professionals, can now apply to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Clean Energy Innovator Fellowship program.
Applications are due by May 3, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Paid Fellows will spend up to two years at critical energy organizations supporting projects that will help decarbonize power systems and bolster energy resilience. Opportunities are available with Tribes, intertribal organizations, and state energy offices. Applicants can select up to five of their preferred projects during the application process.
Learn more and apply today!
Pechanga Basket Draws Tribes in for a Win
Tribal Leaders, Energy Partners Convene at Place-Based Clean Energy Summit
 It began with a basket. And it culminated in a slam dunk.
A Pechanga basket, the iconic image chosen for the 2024 Tribal Clean Energy Summit, evoked Tribal culture and resilience and instilled a sense of place. The venue, a Tribally owned resort far removed from the U.S. capital, signaled another pivot from the standard fare. The theme, “Tribes Leading the Way in Clean Energy,” placed Tribal voices and visions at center court.
Please join us as we take a look back on the 2024 Tribal Clean Energy Summit in our post-Summit blog and reflect on the inspiration it set for the future.
2024 Tribal Energy Webinar Series: Breaking Ground on the Future of Tribal Energy Financing and Rebates
📅 April 25 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m. MT
 Join the Office of Indian Energy to hear about the Viejas Microgrid and Yakama Power, two Tribal energy projects that are breaking ground with novel financing opportunities: the Tribal Energy Financing Program and the Buy Indian Act.
Also, get the latest updates and application resources for the Tribal Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program, which will provide up to $14,000 per eligible Tribal household for energy efficiency and electrification home upgrades.
Director Wahleah Johns Included in GreenBiz’s 2024 Climate Policy Heroes Lists
Congratulations to Office of Indian Energy Director Wahleah Johns for being named as one of GreenBiz.com's 2024 Climate Policy Heroes!
The list features 15 leaders making an impact on climate policy at the state, federal, and local levels, and highlighted Director Johns’ oversight of DOE’s deployment of clean energy funding to Tribal Nations, and her past work supporting Navajo Green Economy legislation.
|
News
GSA Announces Opportunity for Tribes to Sell Renewable Energy Credits Under Indian Energy Purchase Preference
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has opened a solicitation for 47,500 MWh of clean energy credits from Tribes, which both boosts opportunities for Tribal energy businesses and advances federal clean energy goals of running on 100% carbon pollution-free electricity by 2030.
Tribal-majority-owned businesses that generate carbon pollution-free electricity, or compile certificates of clean energy generation, are eligible to compete for the procurement. This includes both new electric generation resources and new electric generation capacity modifying an existing resource to increase output.
Office hours: The DOE Federal Energy Management Program and the Office of Indian Energy are holding office hours on this topic on Thursday, May 9, 2024, from 1–2 p.m. ET: Register.
DOE Extends Deadline for Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants Program
Application deadline is extended to June 17, 2024.
 On April 17, DOE issued an amendment to the Administrative and Legal Requirements Document for the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants Program, extending the deadline for states, Indian Tribes, and territories to apply for grants and request allocations to Monday, June 17, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
The deadline extension reflects stakeholder feedback and provides additional time for states, Indian Tribes, and territories to prepare applications. Applications should be submitted as soon as they are complete. Applications will be processed on a rolling basis as they are received, and grants may be awarded prior to the June 17, 2024, deadline.
DOE Announces $27 Million to Help 40 State, Local, and Tribal Communities Lead America’s Equitable and Resilient Clean Energy Future
President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is improving critical infrastructure and removing barriers to clean energy deployment in historically underserved communities.
On April 4, DOE announced $27 million in financial and technical assistance awarded to 40 partner teams of states, local governments, and Tribes through the Energy Future Grants Program.
Energy Future Grants provides financial and technical assistance to support multijurisdictional partnership efforts to advance innovative clean energy programs that will enhance energy affordability, access, and opportunities for communities.
In addition to awards for Pueblo de San Ildefonso, New Mexico ($498,625) and the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation ($500,000), Tribal and Alaskan projects include:
-
Modeling for a Salmon-Friendly Energy Transition, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, OR, WA, ID: Led by a Tribal consortium, this project focuses on quantitative river and energy system models adapted to the Columbia River Basin to support both state and Tribal policy development that prioritizes the uses of demand-side resources. The project also aims to help protect and restore salmon populations in the Columbia River Basin, which will enhance member Tribes’ economic and cultural sovereignty (award amount: $500,000).
-
Evaluating Municipal Processes for Efficient Clean Energy Permitting, Alaska Energy Authority: This project will improve governance and financial systems of 45 disadvantaged communities to identify and remove barriers to clean energy development within municipal code, permitting, or regulatory processes. The Alaska Energy Authority will coordinate with organized labor to address needs for local and targeted hiring goals, card-check neutrality, and possible provisions advancing programs to attract, train, and retain new workers (award amount: $496,725).
USDA Announces Annual Consultation and Listening Session on Tribal Barriers
On April 15, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the Annual Consultation and Listening Session on Tribal Barriers: Annual Progress Report and Feedback for Next Steps, to be held April 22–26, 2024. These meetings with Tribal Nation officials will highlight historic Biden-Harris Administration investments made in response to Tribal Nation requests and discuss more ways to improve USDA service to Indian Country.
USDA Economic Development Tribal Consultation and Listening Session
📅 Thursday, April 25, 2024
- 2–3 p.m. ET—Tribal Caucus
- 3–5:30 p.m. ET—Tribal Consultation and Listening Session.
Funding Opportunities
Printable Flyer: Tribal Clean Energy Funding Opportunities
- Concentrating Solar Flux to Heat and Power
- Clean Energy Technology Deployment on Tribal Lands—2024
- Call for Communities to Join ETIPP.
 Solar Funding Opportunity: Concentrating Solar Flux to Heat and Power
$30 million
Apply by May 16.
This funding opportunity will award up to $30 million for research, development, and demonstration projects that accelerate the large-scale development of concentrating solar power technology. Concentrating solar power technologies offer unique value as renewable energy resources that can readily deliver high-temperature heat for uses in the industrial sector and incorporate energy storage for on-demand solar power.
 Clean Energy Technology Deployment on Tribal Lands—2024
$50 million
Applications due May 30, 2024, at 5 p.m. ET.
On March 22, DOE announced the funding available under the Clean Energy Technology Deployment on Tribal Lands—2024 funding opportunity announcement has doubled, increasing from $25 million to $50 million.
-
Apply early and edit as needed: Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early, to avoid any last-minute technical difficulties or network congestion. Applications that are submitted early can then be edited until the final deadline.
-
Questions? Email TribalGrants@hq.doe.gov for questions regarding the content of this FOA. All questions and answers will be posted on the Frequently Asked Questions webpage on IE-Exchange.
-
Webinar recording and slides: The Office of Indian Energy hosted an informational webinar March 14 to describe eligible projects and how to apply.
 Call for Communities to Join ETIPP
Technical assistance and up to $50,000 in direct funding
Apply by July 10.
DOE invites remote and island communities aiming to address their energy resilience challenges to apply to the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP).
Communities will create and pursue energy resilience projects defined by their local priorities and goals, using technical assistance from strategic energy analysts at national laboratories and regional partner organizations. As a new program element this year, communities accepted to this cohort will also receive up to $50,000 in direct funding to support their time and engagement on the ETIPP project.
Events
- ETIPP: Cohort 4 Informational Webinar
- Clean School Bus Technical Assistance Webinar Series
- Breaking Ground on the Future of Tribal Energy Financing and Rebates
- USDA Economic Development Tribal Consultation and Listening Session
- Office Hours: Selling Renewable Energy Certificates to the Federal Government.
ETIPP: Cohort 4 Informational Webinar
📅 April 24 | 1 p.m. MT
Join leaders from ETIPP to learn about the program’s open application for island and remote communities in the United States and its territories.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Joint Office Clean School Bus Technical Assistance Webinar Series
The Joint Office is partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program to host a technical assistance webinar series on topics relevant to the clean school bus community.
- April 24, 1 p.m. ET: Charging Best Practices, Incorporating Charge Management, Solar, Battery Storage, and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)
- May 22, 1 p.m. ET: Equipment Overview, Future Proofing, EVSE RFPs, and Best Practices
- June 26, 1 p.m. ET: Differences Between ESBs and ICE Buses, ESB Maintenance, and Bus RFP Best Practices
- July 24, 1 p.m. ET: Battery Overview, Recycling/End-of-Life Options, and Warranties
- Aug. 28, 1 p.m. ET: Building a Case for ESBs in your Fleet including Benefits, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), and Emissions Calculators
- Sept. 25, 1 p.m. ET: Electrification Process including a Step-by-Step Guide for New Adopters.
2024 Tribal Energy Webinar Series: Breaking Ground on the Future of Tribal Energy Financing and Rebates
📅 April 25 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m. MT
Join the Office of Indian Energy to hear about the Viejas Microgrid and Yakama Power, two Tribal energy projects that are breaking ground with novel financing opportunities: the Tribal Energy Financing Program and the Buy Indian Act. Also, get the latest updates and application resources for the Tribal Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program, which will provide up to $14,000 per eligible Tribal household for energy efficiency and electrification home upgrades.
USDA Economic Development Tribal Consultation and Listening Session
📅 April 25 | 2–5:30 p.m. ET
- 2–3 p.m. ET: Tribal Caucus
- 3–5:30 p.m. ET: Tribal Consultation and Listening Session.
Selling Renewable Energy Certificates to the Federal Government – Office Hours
📅 May 9 | 1–2 p.m. ET
The DOE Federal Energy Management Program and the Office of Indian Energy are co-hosting office hours to answer questions about Renewable Energy Certificates and the Indian Energy Purchase Preference (See GSA announcement above for details).
Here's what's catching attention on our social media pages. Follow us on X and Facebook for the latest updates.
|
